The Influence of Passenger's Behavior on Road Traffic Law Enforcement in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

This research examined the influence of passenger's behavior on drivers and road traffic law enforcement agencies in Abuja, Nigeria. The research made used of both primary and secondary data. The primary data was sourced from structured and open ended questionnaires, observations and direct interviews while the secondary data was obtained from relevant published materials. A total of 685 questionnaires were administered to both passengers and drivers using purposive sampling technique in selected motor parks in the study area. A second and third set of questionnaires geared towards assessing the automotive knowledge of respondents and driver's performance and responsibility were administered to both groups, respectively. Results obtained shows that 50% of the respondents were aged 26-40 years while 53.3% did not own vehicles of their own. About 59 and 52%, respectively claimed they have been involved in. one form of accident or the other and that they sometimes engage drivers in conversation while they are driving. Analysis of driver's performance and responsibility shows that 53% said they have been driving for between 11-20 years and have not been arrested for traffic offence. Majority of drivers (66%) agreed that passengers tern do distract them while driving. and that the nature of the distraction ranges between noise making (35%), criticizing driving style (23%) and complain about vehicle conditions (42%). A Focus Group Discussion (FGD) conducted with officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) lend credence to most of the research findings. Based on the research findings, it is recommended that there is the need to promulgate a law that provides punishment to erring passengers as all the existing laws seem to focus only on drivers.